Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapters 1 and 2 in your course textbook, and watch the Multicellular organisms and their nervous systems and Discovering the human brain: New pathways to neuroscience, with Susan Bookheimer, Ph.D videos. These materials examine various means of investigating neuropsychology, such as imaging technology, laboratory science techniques, and special studies that provide information about structure (nervous system anatomy and cellular structure) and function (nervous system and cellular function).

This discussion is an analysis of the various ways neuroscience investigators study the biological basis of psychological function.

In your discussion:

• Select one method you think is the most powerful or useful for examining the relationship between biology and behavior.
  • Do not choose a category of investigational methods, but be sure to select one method (e.g., do not choose “imaging technology” but instead choose one type of imaging technology).
• Evaluate the method you have selected.
  • Would this method be best used for basic research, initial diagnosis of a clinical condition, ongoing patient management, or a combination of these analytic practices?
  • What part of the nervous system (anatomical structure, function, cellular chemistry and function) would most likely be studied using this method?
  • What behavioral health or neurological condition could be studied by this method?

Also in your discussion,

• Describe how knowledge of neuroscience investigational methods would assist someone in a career that uses a degree in psychology.
  • Remember, a degree in psychology opens the door to many options regarding career choices. These include positions in human resources, the helping professions (e.g., medicine, counseling and behavioral health, teaching, social work, ministry, and nursing), science, marketing, law enforcement, and more.
  • Some examples to consider might be sharing the information you’ve learned to help you educate a patient/client:
    • Regarding their diagnosed neuropsychological disorder and the need for medication.
    • Why we now evaluate psychological disorders from multiple aspects (biological, psychological, social).
    • Why their child is ready for specific developmental milestones due to neurological maturation.

You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed and/or scholarly source that was published within the last five years, and document the source in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your post should be a minimum of 250 words. You may cite and reference course materials such as the textbook, required or recommended reading, or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.

Required Resources

Text

Wilson, J. F. (2013). Biological basis of behavior. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu

• Chapter 1: Studying the Brain
• Chapter 2: Introduction to the Nervous System

Book

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

• The full-text version of this e-book is available through the DSM-5 Library database in the Ashford University Library. Please review The DSM-5: Accessing and Using the DSM-5 in the Ashford University Library screencast that provides step-by-step instructions on how to access this full-text resource via the library, how to use the DSM-5 to look up neuropsychological disorders, and how to cite and reference this resource in your course work. The direct link to the screencast video is located at: https://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/The+DSM-5/0_wa13z8fy  (Links to an external site.)The direct link to the PDF transcript of the video is located here: https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/c839a47e-7e60-4b48-ba6e-09aea80329f4/1/TRANSCRIPT%20DSM-5.pdf (Links to an external site.)
• Please be sure to use current terminology as described in the DSM-5 for neuropsychological disorders. This book is a manual of neuropsychological disorders and the diagnostic criteria needed to make the clinical diagnosis. This reference is used by mental health professionals and will assist you in your Week 1 Written Assignment, Selection of Final Project Topic, this week, as well as all course work in this class.

Multimedia

Bookheimer, S. (Writer), Harrigan, J. (Director), & Crosstown Productions, Davidson Films (Producers). (2007). Discovering the human brain: New pathways to neuroscience, with Susan Bookheimer, Ph.D [Streaming video]. Retrieved from Films on Demand database.

• The full version of this video is available through the Films On Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video provides an overview of the concepts involved in neuroscience as pertaining to human brain structure and functional pathways and will assist you in your Week 1 discussions, Post Your Introduction and Methods of Neuroscience Investigation,. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.

Garner, S. (Writer), Breitenmoser, K. (Director), & Baricevic, T. (Producer). (2012). Multicellular organisms and their nervous systems [Streaming video]. Retrieved from Films on Demand database.

• The full version of this video is available through the Films On Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video provides an overview of the need for nervous system organization in multicellular organisms (humans) and will assist you in your Week 1 discussion Methods of Neuroscience Investigation this week. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.

Recommended Resource

Article

Cacioppo, J.T., Cacioppo, S., Dulawa, S., & Palmer, A.A. (2014). Social neuroscience and its potential contribution to psychiatry (Links to an external site.). World Psychiatry, 13(2), 131-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wps.20118 Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4102278/

• This article is available on the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health website. This article provides a discussion of the discipline of social neuroscience as a method to integrate psychological science and may assist you in your discussions, Post Your Introduction and Methods of Neuroscience Investigation, as well as your written assignment, Selection of Final Project Topic, this week.
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